Process for producing holographic material

ABSTRACT

Processes for producing a holographic material wherein the holographic image is formed on a polished, substantially smooth surface of a printing element and then transferred the holographic image to a substrate. A coating is applied to the smooth surface of the printing element to provide a coated surface, the coated surface is embossed or engraved to provide the holographic image, and the holographic image is then transferred to a substrate via a bonding material, thereby producing the holographic material. The holographic material may be used to provide a decorative cover for an object or item, such as a floral grouping or a potted plant.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of copending application U.S.Ser. No. 09/372,526, filed Aug. 11, 1999, entitled “PROCESS FORPRODUCING HOLOGRAPHIC MATERIAL”.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to processes for producingdecorative material, and more particularly, but not by way oflimitation, to processes for producing holographic material, as well asmethods for using same.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art

Processes for producing holographic materials are well known in the art.One process involves passing a layer of plastic, for example, through amachine which imparts an image within the covering or upper strata ofthe plastic layer. A powdered metallic constituent or component (e.g.aluminum) is then applied thereon by a metallizing process. Aftermetallizing, a holographic or 3-dimensional image is imparted on themetallized layer of plastic. This image is extremely pleasing and iswidely used within the credit card and security industries since theresulting image is difficult to duplicate and thus assists in theprevention of fraud by counterfeiting, for example. However, imagesproduced by this process can be quite expensive since the machinesrequired for production of the images are complicated and costly in andof themselves. Additionally, holographic images produced by this processare usually small in size, and larger holographic images cannot beimprinted by this process. Thus, this process of producing holographicimages has not been widely used outside of the credit card and noveltyindustry.

A process for producing large sheets of holographic material at a lowercost than the process described above involves producing the holographicimage laminated to a polymeric support, contacting the holographic imageon the polymeric support to a substrate such as tissue paper or foil viaan adhesive, and delaminating the polymeric support, therebytransferring the holographic image from the polymeric support to thetissue paper or foil substrate. The image cannot be directly applied toa substrate having a rough surface because the rough surface of thesubstrate will refract light and will not have a highly reflectivefinish, thereby disrupting the holographic image.

Therefore, new and improved methods for producing holographic materialrequiring less time and expense are being sought. It is to such aprocess for producing holographic material that the present invention isdirected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, processes for producing holographicmaterial are provided which avoid the disadvantages and defects of theprior art, making the processes more economically feasible. Broadly,processes are provided for transferring holographic images to asubstrate to produce a holographic material. These processes involveproducing the holographic image on a polished, substantially smoothsurface and then transferring the holographic image to a substrate,thereby bypassing the need for the lamination/delamination steps used inthe prior art.

In one aspect of the present invention, a printing element having apolished, substantially smooth surface is provided, and a metalliccoating is applied to the smooth surface of the printing element toprovide a coated surface. The coated surface is embossed or engraved toprovide the holographic image on the coating, and the holographic imageis then transferred to a substrate, thereby producing a holographicmaterial.

In another aspect of the present invention, a non-metallic coating maybe applied to the smooth surface of the printing element to provide acoated surface, which is then embossed or engraved to provide an image.The embossed or engraved coated surface may then be metallized, ifnecessary, to provide a holographic image on the coating, and theholographic image is transferred to a substrate to produce theholographic material.

The production of holographic materials in accordance with the presentinvention may be performed as a continuous process or as a batchprocess. Applications of the holographic materials produced inaccordance with the present invention include wrapping a floral groupingand providing a decorative cover for an object such as a flower pot or apotted plant, decorative wrappings for various food and gift items,decorative and non-decorative elements, pigments, Christmas ornaments,etc.

An object of the present invention is to provide improved processes forproducing holographic materials.

Another object of the present invention, while achieving thebefore-stated object, is to provide processes for producing holographicmaterials which do not suffer from the disadvantages of the prior artprocesses.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a sheet of holographicmaterial having a holographic image embossed thereon produced by acontinuous process in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial schematic representation of an apparatus forproducing holographic material in a continuous process, the apparatusutilizing a cylindrical drum and an embossing element.

FIG. 2A is a partial schematic representation of another apparatus forproducing holographic material in a continuous process.

FIG. 2B is a partial schematic representation of yet another apparatusfor producing holographic material in a continuous process.

FIG. 3 is a partial schematic representation of another apparatus forproducing holographic material in a continuous process, the apparatusutilizing a cylindrical drum and an embossing element.

FIG. 3A is a partial schematic representation of yet another apparatusfor producing holographic material in a continuous process.

FIG. 3B is a partial schematic representation of another apparatus forproducing holographic material in a continuous process.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a sheet of holographicmaterial having a holographic image engraved thereon produced by anothercontinuous process in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial schematic representation of an apparatus forproducing holographic material in a continuous process, the apparatusutilizing a cylindrical drum and an engraving element.

FIG. 6 is a partial schematic representation of another apparatus forproducing holographic material in a continuous process, the apparatusutilizing a cylindrical drum and an engraving element.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view illustrating a sheet of holographicmaterial having a holographic image embossed thereon produced by a batchprocess in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of a flat plate used to producesheets of holographic material having a holographic image embossedthereon in accordance with the present invention, the flat plate havinga coating disposed on a surface thereof.

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic representation of the flat plate with a coatedsurface of FIG. 8 and an embossing plate for embossing the coatedsurface of the flat plate to provide an embossed coated surface with aholographic image thereon.

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic representation of the flat plate of FIG. 9having an embossed coated surface and a holographic image thereon, theembossed coated surface of the flat plate having a bonding materialapplied thereto.

FIG. 10A is a diagrammatic representation of the flat plate of FIG. 9having an embossed coated surface and a holographic image thereon, and asubstrate having a bonding material applied thereto.

FIG. 10B is a diagrammatic representation of the flat plate of FIG. 9having an embossed coated surface and a holographic image thereon and asubstrate, wherein bonding material is applied to the embossed coatedsurface of the flat plate and to the substrate.

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic representation of the flat plate of FIG. 10having an embossed coated surface with a holographic image thereon and abonding material applied thereto, the bonding material bondinglyconnecting the embossed coated surface to a substrate to produce a sheetof holographic material constructed from the coating containing aholographic image and the substrate.

FIG. 11A is a diagrammatic representation of the flat plate having anembossed coated surface with a holographic image thereon and thesubstrate of FIG. 10A, the bonding material disposed on the substratebondingly connecting the holographic image to the substrate to produce asheet of holographic material.

FIG. 11B is a diagrammatic representation of the flat plate having anembossed coated surface with a holographic image thereon and thesubstrate of FIG. 10B, the bonding material bondingly connecting theholographic image to the substrate to produce a sheet of holographicmaterial.

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view illustrating a sheet of holographicmaterial having a holographic image engraved thereon produced by anotherbatch process in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic representation of a flat plate used to producesheets of holographic material having a holographic image engravedthereon in accordance with the present invention, the flat plate havinga coating disposed on a surface thereof.

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic representation of the flat plate with a coatedsurface of FIG. 13 and an engraving element for engraving the coatedsurface of the flat plate to provide an engraved coated surface with aholographic image thereon.

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic representation of the flat plate of FIG. 14having an engraved coated surface and a holographic image thereon, theengraved coated surface of the flat plate having a bonding materialapplied thereto.

FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic representation of the flat plate of FIG. 15having an engraved coated surface with a holographic image thereon and abonding material applied thereto, the bonding material bondinglyconnecting the engraved coated surface to a substrate to produce a sheetof holographic material constructed from the coating containing aholographic image and the substrate.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a roll of holographic materialconstructed in accordance with the present invention and illustrating aknife assembly being actuated by an actuator to cut at least a portionof the roll of holographic material into elongated strips of holographicmaterial.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the roll of holographic material ofFIG. 17, showing the knife assembly being actuated in a seconddirection, so as to cut the elongated strips of holographic materialinto segments of holographic material.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a floral grouping disposed on a sheetof holographic material.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the floral grouping of FIG. 19 beingwrapped in the sheet of holographic material in one method of wrappingwith the sheet of holographic material.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the floral grouping wrapped in thesheet of holographic material in a conical fashion.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of another method of using a sheet ofholographic material to wrap a floral grouping, wherein the floralgrouping is wrapped in the sheet of holographic material in acylindrical fashion.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a sheet of holographic material havinga flower pot disposed thereon.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the sheet of holographic material ofFIG. 23 partially wrapped about the flower pot.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the sheet of holographic material ofFIG. 23 wrapped about the flower pot.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a pre-formed decorative pot coverformed from a sheet of holographic material.

FIG. 27 is a diagrammatic, cross-sectional view of a male and femalemold having a sheet of holographic material disposed therebetween forforming the preformed decorative pot cover of FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a pre-formed decorative pot coverformed from a sheet of holographic material wherein the pre-formeddecorative pot cover has a potted plant disposed therein.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a sleeve for wrapping about a floralgrouping, wherein the sleeve is constructed from a holographic materialin accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a wrapper comprising the sleeve of FIG.29 and a floral grouping disposed therein, with a bloom portion of thefloral grouping disposed adjacent a first end of the sleeve and a stemportion of the floral grouping extending from a second end of thesleeve.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a modified wrapper similar to thewrapper of FIG. 30 but having a bonding material disposed on the innerperipheral surface of the sleeve, and showing the wrapper crimped aboutthe stem portion of the floral grouping, the crimped portion formingoverlapping folds.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a modified wrapper similar to thewrapper of FIG. 30 but having a bonding material disposed on the outerperipheral surface of the sleeve, and showing the wrapper crimped aboutthe stem portion of the floral grouping, the crimped portion formingoverlapping folds.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a wrapper formed from the holographicmaterial of the present invention wherein the wrapper comprises a flowerpot and a sleeve for covering the flower pot wherein the sleeve isprovided with vertical and circumferential perforations.

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the wrapper of FIG. 33 wherein thevertical perforations of the sleeve are torn open and thecircumferential perforations of the sleeve are partially torn.

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the wrapper of FIGS. 33 and 34 whereinan upper portion of the sleeve has been torn away and a remaining lowerportion of the sleeve forms a decorative flower pot cover.

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of a wrapper formed from the holographicmaterial of the present invention wherein the wrapper comprises a sleevesized to wrap a floral grouping having a single bloom and a single stemand a floral grouping having a single bloom and a single stem.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The Embodiments of FIGS. 1-6

Referring now to the drawings, shown in FIG. 1 and designated therein bythe reference numeral 10 is a sheet of holographic material constructedin accordance with the present invention by a continuous process. Thesheet of holographic material 10 comprises a substrate 12 having aholographic design or image 14 formed thereon. The holographic image 14provides the sheet of holographic material 10 with a holographic or3-dimensional appearance.

The term “holographic image” as used herein is to be understood to meana three-dimensional image most visible from an oblique angle. The uniqueproperties of holographic images are that they appear to float in space,are true-to-life and can change perspective, that is, permit one to lookaround corners and watch hidden features of the image come to light.

Further, the “holographic image” can be in any geometric form, or anycombination of geometric forms, for example, squares, round spots,triangles, rectangles, octagonals, or the like, or any non-geometric,asymmetrical or fanciful forms, or any combination thereof, for example,but not by way of limitation, hearts, balloons, flowers, lace, slogans,logos, print (any combination of letters and/or numbers), signs, humanforms (real and fictional), animal forms (real and fictional), cartooncharacters, and/or plant forms. Such holographic images may include acolor, or a portion of a color, or a combination of colors and designs.Alternatively, at least a portion of the holographic image may becolorless, translucent, transparent, opaque, pearlescent, iridescent, orthe like.

The term “substrate” when used herein means a sheet of material capableof receiving the holographic image 14 and which provides stability tothe holographic image 14. The substrate 12 of the sheet of holographicmaterial 10 may be flexible or non-flexible. The substrate 12 can beconstructed of any suitable material capable of receiving a holographicimage, such as polymeric film, foil, paper, tissue, laminations thereofand combinations thereof. The substrate 12 includes a surface 16 whichmay be substantially rough and textured or substantially smooth. Forexample, tissue paper, kraft paper and high density polyethylene filmoften have rough surfaces, while foil and chromecoat paper typicallyhave smooth surfaces.

The thickness of the substrate 12 can vary widely. Generally, however,the substrate 12 has a thickness in a range from about 0.0002 mil toabout 30 mil, and more desirably from about 0.1 mil to about 20 mil.

The substrate 12 may have various printings, colorings, coatings,embossings, texturizing, flocking and/or metallic finishes, or otherdecorative surface ornamentation applied separately or simultaneously ormay be characterized totally or partially by pearlescent, translucent,transparent, iridescent, or other finishes. Each of the above-namedcharacteristics may occur alone or in combination, and when present incombination, such characteristics may be in or out of register with oneanother.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, an apparatus 17 for continuouslyproducing the holographic material 10 is schematically illustrated. Aswill be more fully described hereinafter, the holographic material 10 isproduced using a printing element 18. The printing element 18 may beprovided with a smooth surface or a rough surface. When the printingelement 18 is provided with a smooth surface, the need to produce theholographic image on a substrate having a smooth surface, such asrequired by the prior art methods, is substantially eliminated.

The term “printing element” as used herein means any element having asurface capable of having a holographic image produced thereon wherebythe holographic image can be transferred to a substrate withoutsubstantially distorting the holographic image. Thus, the printingelement 18 for producing the holographic material 10 utilizing theapparatus 17 may be, for example, but not limited to, a cylindricaldrum, a roller and the like. The printing element 18 may be constructedof any suitable material capable of having a polished, substantiallysmooth surface and which is capable of having the holographic imageformed thereon for transfer to a desired substrate. The printing element18 may be constructed of chrome, stainless steel, tool steel and thelike. The printing element 18 may also be constructed in part of aresilient or non-resilient material such that the printing element 18 isprovided with a resilient or non-resilient surface.

The printing element 18 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 is a cylindricaldrum 20 having a smooth surface 22. The cylindrical drum 20 permits theholographic material 10 to be continuously produced. A coating 30capable of receiving a holographic image is applied to the smoothsurface 22 of the cylindrical drum 20 by a coating assembly 32, therebyproviding a coated surface 34 of the cylindrical drum 20. The coatingassembly 32 is illustrated as comprising a coating pan 36 and a reversegravure doctor blade 38. The thickness of the coating 30 on the coatedsurface 34 of the cylindrical drum 20 can be controlled and maintainedwithin preselected limits by the reverse gravure doctor blade 38 of thecoating assembly 32.

It will be understood that other methods of applying the coating 30 tothe smooth surface 22 of the cylindrical drum 20 may be employed, suchas spraying, brushing, etc.

The term “coating” as used herein is to be understood to mean a maleablefilm, ink or lacquer which is able to be embossed or engraved to receivea holographic image on at least a portion thereof. For example, thecoating 30 may be a metallic material such as metallic polymeric film,metallic, iridescent pigment, foil, metallized lacquer and combinationsthereof. The coating 30 may also be a nonmetallic material such aspolymeric film, foil, lacquer and combinations thereof. The coating 30may also consist of metallized film chopped into glitter and mixed witha lacquer to provide and ink or lacquer as the coating 30. When thecoating 30 is a nonmetallic material, the process for producing theholographic material 10 in accordance with the present invention mayinclude an additional step of metallizing the coated surface 34 of thecylindrical drum 20, which will be described in detail below. The stepof metallizing the non-metallic coated surface 30 will not be requiredwhen a non-metallic material employed as the coating 30 possesses thereflective properties necessary to highlight a holographic image.Examples of non-metallic coatings 30 possessing such characteristicsinclude iridescent pigments and inks or lacquers containing metallizedfilm glitter.

The term “lacquer” as used herein means a coating substance consistingof resinous materials, such as cellulose esters, cellulose ethers,shellac, gum, alkyd resins and the like, which are dissolved in asolvent that evaporates rapidly on application such as ethyl alcohol,thereby leaving a tough, adherent film. Lacquers which are useful in thepresent invention are mixtures, such as, but not limited to, lacquersproduced by mixing styrene-acrylic emulsions, such as Lucidene 603 andLucidene 395 (Morton International, Inc., 100 North Riverside Plaza,Chicago, Ill. 60606) with a non-ionic surfactant, such as Surfynol 465(Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., 7201 Hamilton Boulevard, Allentown,Pa. 18195-1501) and ammonia (G. S. Robbins and Company, 126 ChouteauAvenue, St. Louis, Mo. 63102). The lacquer produced as described abovemay also contain a wax emulsion in water, such as Liquitron 440 (CarrolScientific, Inc., 5401 S. Dansher Road, Countryside, Ill. 60525).

The coated surface 34 of the cylindrical drum 20 is then embossed by anembossing element 40, such as an embossing drum 42. Embossing elementsare used to produce materials to decorate or cover articles bydepressing, carving, raising, or printing designs, patterns, etc. sothat at least a portion of the design, pattern, etc. is raised above thesurface of the material. Embossing elements and methods for embossingmaterials are well known in the art; thus, no further discussion of theembossing element 40 or embossing methods need be set forth.

Embossing of the coated surface 34 of the cylindrical drum 20 produces aholographic image 14 on the coated surface 34 of the cylindrical drum20. The holographic image 14 is provided with a first surface 44 and asecond surface 46 which is substantially adjacent the smooth surface 22of the cylindrical drum 20.

As shown in FIG. 3, if the coating 30 used to provide the coated surface34 of the cylindrical drum 20 is formed of a non-metallic material whichdoes not possess reflective properties necessary to provide theholographic image 14, a metallic constituent or component 48 is appliedto the embossed coated surface 34 of the cylindrical drum 20 to providethe holographic image 14. The metallic constituent or component 48 canbe applied to the embossed coated surface 34 of the cylindrical drum 20by any suitable method, such as by discharging the metallic constituentor component 48 from a reservoir 50. Metallic constituents or componentswhich may be employed to metallize the embossed coated surface 34 of thecylindrical drum 20 are known in the art and include powdered metalssuch as powdered aluminum.

Once the holographic image has been produced, a bonding material 54 maybe applied to the holographic image 14, the substrate 12, or both. FIGS.2 and 3 illustrate applying the bonding material 54 to the first surface44 of the holographic image 14 by a bonding material applicator 56. Thebonding material applicator 56 comprises a pan 58 and a reverse gravuredoctor blade 60 for removing excess bonding material 54 and controllingthe thickness of the bonding material 54 so as to insure a substantiallyuniform coating of bonding material 54 on the first surface 44 of theholographic image 14 present on the cylindrical drum 20. The bondingmaterial 54 applied to the first surface 44 of the holographic image 14is contacted with the surface 16 of the substrate 12, thereby bondinglycontacting the holographic image 14 to the substrate 12 and producingthe holographic material 10.

The term “bonding material” when used herein may be an adhesive, such asa pressure sensitive adhesive, or a cohesive. Where the bonding materialis a cohesive, a similar cohesive material must be placed on theadjacent surface for bondingly contacting and bondingly engaging withthe cohesive material. The term “bonding material” may also be materialswhich are heat sealable and, in this instance, the adjacent portions ofthe materials must be brought into contact and then heat must be appliedto effect the seal. The term “bonding material” when used herein alsomeans a lacquer, which may be the coating 30 described above. In thisinstance, heat, sound waves, or vibrations may be applied to effect thesealing of the lacquer. In this way, the coating 30 may both receive theholographic image 14 and effect sealing of the holographic image 14 tothe substrate 12, thereby producing the holographic material 10.

To bondingly secure the holographic image 14 to the substrate 12 and totransfer the holographic image 14 from the smooth surface 22 of thecylindrical drum 20 to the substrate 12, various methods may beemployed. For example, heat and/or pressure may be applied to effect theseal between the holographic image 14 and the substrate 12. As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, a nip formed by opposing rollers of the cylindrical drum20 and a sealing drum 62 may sandwich the holographic image 14 and thesubstrate 12 to effect a seal between the substrate 12 and theholographic image 14. In addition, the sealing drum 62 may be a heatedroller to aid in effecting the seal between the holographic image 14 andthe substrate 12.

The holographic material 10 is then removed from the smooth surface 22of the cylindrical drum 20. Methods of removing the holographic material10 from the cylindrical drum 20 are known in the art. The holographicmaterial 10 produced by the continuous process 17 may be present indifferent forms such as a roll or sheets of holographic material 10.

Following production of the holographic material 10, the holographicmaterial 10 may be modified by various methods, such as lamination of atransparent polymeric film thereto, as described in detail herein below.

It will be understood that other methods of bondingly securing andsealing the holographic image 14 and the substrate 12 which may beemployed with the apparatus 17 for continuously producing theholographic material 10 as described herein may be employed in thisprocess, and is not limited to the method described herein.

Shown in FIGS. 2A and 3A is another method of bondingly securing andsealing the holographic image 14 a and the substrate 12 a, wherein themethod utilizes an apparatus 17′ for continuously producing theholographic material 10, wherein the apparatus 17′ is substantiallysimilar to the apparatus 17 described hereinbefore with reference toFIGS. 2 and 3, except that the bonding material 54 is applied to thesurface 16 of the substrate 12 rather than the to the first surface 44of the holographic image 14. The bonding material 54 is applied to thesurface 16 of the substrate 12 by a bonding material applicator 56′which is substantially similar to the bonding material applicator 56described hereinbefore with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

While the bonding material 54 is depicted in FIGS. 2-3 and 2A-3A asbeing applied to either the holographic image 14 or the substrate 12,respectively, it will be understood that the bonding material 54 may beapplied to both the holographic image 14 and the substrate 12. Shown inFIGS. 2B and 3B is an apparatus 17″ which is substantially similar tothe apparatus 17 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and the apparatus 17′ shown inFIGS. 2A and 3A and described hereinbefore, except that the apparatus17″ is provided with two bonding material applicators 56″ which applybonding material 54 to both the first surface 44 of the holographicimage 14 and to the surface 16 of the substrate 12. In this manner, acohesive may be used as the bonding material 54, allowing for greatercontrol in bondingly connecting the holographic image 14 to thesubstrate 12 to form the holographic material 10.

Shown in FIG. 4 is a sheet of holographic material 10 a which is similarto the sheet of holographic material 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 anddescribed in detail hereinbefore, except that the holographic image 14 aof the sheet of holographic material 10 a is produced by engravingrather than embossing. The sheet of holographic material 10 a comprisesa substrate 12 a having a surface 16 a and a holographic image 14 aformed thereon, the holographic image 14 a having a first surface 44 aand a second surface 46 a wherein the first surface 44 a of theholographic image 14 a is bondingly connected to the surface 16 a of thesubstrate 12 a. The sheet of holographic material 10 a is producedcontinuously utilizing an apparatus 17 a which is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6and which is substantially similar to the apparatus 17 illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3 and described in detail previously, except that anengraving element 41 a, such as a laser 43 a, is employed to produce theholographic image 14 a of the sheet of holographic material 10 a, ratherthan the embossing element 40 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Briefly, a coating 30 a capable of receiving a holographic image isapplied to a smooth surface 22 a of a cylindrical drum 20 a by a coatingassembly 32 a, thereby providing a coated surface 34 a of thecylindrical drum 20 a. The coating assembly 32 a is illustrated ascomprising a coating pan 36 a and a reverse gravure doctor blade 38 a.The coated surface 34 a of the cylindrical drum 20 a is then engraved byan engraving element 41 a, such as a laser 43 a. Engraving elements areused to cut or etch letters, patterns, designs, etc. in or on a surfaceof a material. Engraving elements and methods for engraving materialsare well known in the art; thus, no further discussion of the engravingelement 41 a or engraving methods need be set forth.

As shown in FIG. 5, engraving of the coated surface 34 a of thecylindrical drum 20 a produces a holographic image 14 a, which isprovided with the first and second surfaces 44 a and 46 a, respectively,wherein the second surface 46 a is substantially adjacent the smoothsurface 22 a of the cylindrical drum 20 a.

As shown in FIG. 6, if the coating 30 a is formed of a non-metallicmaterial which does not possess reflective properties necessary toprovide the holographic image 14 a, a metallic constituent or component48 a is applied to the engraved coated surface 34 a of the cylindricaldrum 20 a to provide the holographic image 14 a by any suitable method,such as by discharging the metallic constituent or component 48 a from areservoir 50 a.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a bonding material 54 a is applied to thefirst surface 44 a of the holographic image 14 a by a bonding materialapplicator 56 a comprising a pan 58 a and a reverse gravure doctor blade60 a. The bonding material 54 a applied to the first surface 44 a of theholographic image 14 a is contacted with the surface 16 a of thesubstrate 12 a, thereby bondingly connecting the holographic image 14 ato the substrate 12 a and producing the sheet of holographic material 10a.

While the bonding material 54 a is depicted as being applied to thefirst surface 44 a of the holographic image 14 a, it will be understoodthat the bonding material 54 a may be applied to the surface 16 a of thesubstrate 12 a, or to both the first surface 44 a of the holographicimage 14 a and to the surface 16 a of the substrate 12 a. Application ofthe bonding material 54 a to the substrate 12 a or to both the substrate12 a and the holographic image 14 a will be in a substantially similarmanner to that described herein previously for application of thebonding material 54 to the substrate 12 by the apparatus 17 describedhereinbefore with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 or for application of thebonding material 54 to both the substrate 12 and the holographic image14 by the apparatus 17′ described hereinbefore with reference to FIGS.2A and 3A.

The holographic image 14 a is bondingly secured and transferred to thesubstrate 12 a by any suitable method known in the art. As shown inFIGS. 5 and 6 for example only, a nip is formed by opposing rollers ofthe cylindrical drum 20 a and a sealing drum 62 a which sandwiches andeffects a seal between the holographic image 14 a and the substrate 12a. The holographic material 10 a is then removed from the smooth surface22 a of the cylindrical drum 20 a by any method known in the art, andthe holographic material 10 a produced by such processes may be presentin different forms, such as a roll or sheets of holographic material 10a.

The Embodiments of FIGS. 7-16

Shown in FIG. 7 is a sheet of holographic material 10 b constructed inaccordance with the present invention by a batch process which utilizesan apparatus 68 b. The sheet of holographic material 10 b is similar tothe sheet of holographic material 10 described hereinbefore, andcomprises a substrate 12 b having a surface 16 b and having aholographic image 14 b formed thereon, the holographic image 14 b havinga first surface 44 b and a second surface 46 b. The first surface 44 bof the holographic image 14 b is bondingly connected to the surface 16 bof the substrate 12 b. The apparatus 68 b for producing the sheet ofholographic material 10 b in a batch process is illustrated in FIGS.8-11 and described in detail hereinafter.

The sheet of holographic material 10 b is produced using a printingelement 70 b. The printing element 70 b may be provided with a smoothsurface or a rough surface. When the printing element 70 b is providedwith a smooth surface, the need to produce the holographic image on asubstrate having a smooth surface, such as required by the prior artmethods, is substantially eliminated. The printing element 70 b forproducing the sheet of holographic material 10 b by the batch processutilizing the apparatus 68 b may be a plate, a platen press and thelike. The printing element 70 b may be constructed of any suitablematerial capable of having the holographic image formed thereon fortransfer to a desired substrate. Desirably, the printing element 70 b isconstructed of a material capable of having a polished, substantiallysmooth surface; however, it will be understood that the printing element70 b may be provided with a substantially rough surface which is capableof having the holographic image formed thereon. The printing element 70b may be constructed of chrome, stainless steel, tool steel and thelike. The printing element 70 b may also be constructed in part of aresilient or non-resilient material such that the printing element 70 bis provided with a resilient or non-resilient surface.

The printing element 70 b of the apparatus 68 b utilized in producingthe sheet of holographic material 10 b in a batch process illustrated inFIG. 8 is a flat plate 72 b having a smooth surface 74 b. A coating 30b, which is substantially similar to the coating 30 as describedhereinbefore, is applied to the smooth surface 74 b of the flat plate 72b by a coating assembly 76 b, thereby providing a coated surface 78 b ofthe flat plate 72 b. The coating assembly 76 b is illustrated as acoating brush 80 b. However, it should be understood that other methodsof applying the coating 30 b to the smooth surface 74 b of the flatplate 72 b may be employed, such as spraying, dipping, and the like.

The coated surface 78 b of the flat plate 72 b is then embossed by anembossing element 82 b, such as an embossing plate 84 b shown in FIG. 9.Embossing of the coated surface 78 b of the flat plate 72 b provides aholographic image 14 b on the coated surface 78 b of the flat plate 72b. The holographic image 14 b is provided with a first surface 44 b anda second surface 46 b which is substantially adjacent the smooth surface74 b of the flat plate 72 b.

If the coating 30 b used to provide the coated surface 78 b of the flatplate 72 b is formed of a non-metallic material which does not possessreflective properties necessary to provide the holographic image 14 b, ametallic constituent or component (not shown) is applied to the embossedcoated surface 78 b of the flat plate 72 b to provide the holographicimage 14 b. This process is substantially similar to the metallizing ofthe embossed coated surface 34 of the cylindrical drum 20 by ametallizing constituent or component 50 to provide the holographic image10 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5 and described in detail above.

Once the holographic image 14 b has been produced, a bonding material 54b, which is substantially similar to the bonding material 54 asdescribed hereinbefore, may be applied to the holographic image 14 b, tothe substrate 12 b, or both. FIG. 10 illustrates applying the bondingmaterial 54 b to the holographic image 14 b by a bonding materialapplicator 86 b. It will be understood that other methods of applyingthe bonding material 54 b to the holographic image 14 b on the flatplate 72 b may be employed, such as spraying, brushing, etc.

The bonding material 54 b applied to the holographic image 14 b iscontacted with the substrate 12 b as illustrated in FIG. 11, therebybondingly connecting the holographic image 14 b to the substrate 12 band producing the sheet of holographic material 10 b.

To bondingly connect the holographic image 14 b to the substrate 12 band to transfer the holographic image 14 b from the smooth surface 74 bof the flat plate 72 b to the substrate 12 b, various methods may beemployed. For example, heat and/or pressure may be applied to effect theseal between the substrate 12 b and the holographic image 14 b. As shownin FIG. 11, the holographic image 14 b and the substrate 12 b may besandwiched between the flat plate 72 b and a sealing plate 88 b toeffect a seal between the substrate 12 b and the holographic image 14 b.In addition, the sealing plate 88 b may be heated to aid in effectingthe seal between the holographic image 14 b and the substrate 12 b.

It will be understood that other methods of bondingly connecting andsealing the holographic image 14 b and the substrate 12 b in the batchprocess 68 b for producing the sheet of holographic material 10 b asdescribed herein may be employed.

FIGS. 10A and 11A depict another method for bondingly connecting andsealing the holographic image 14 b to the substrate 12 b which utilizesa batch process 68 b′ for producing the sheet of holographic material 10b. The batch process 68 b′ is substantially similar to the batch process68 b shown in FIGS. 8-11 and described herein previously, except thatthe bonding material 54 b is applied to the surface 16 b of thesubstrate 12 b rather than to the holographic image 14 b. The batchprocess 68 b′ utilizes a bonding material applicator 86 b′ for applyingthe bonding material 54 b to the surface 16 b of the substrate 12 b,wherein the bonding material applicator 86 b′ is substantially similarto the bonding material applicator 86 b described hereinbefore withreference to FIG. 10.

Shown in FIGS. 10B and 11B is yet another method for bondinglyconnecting and sealing the holographic image 14 b to the substrate 12 bwhich utilizes a batch process 68 b″ for producing the sheet ofholographic material 10 b. The batch process 68 b″ is substantiallysimilar to the batch processes 68 b and 68 b′ described hereinbeforewith respect to FIGS. 8-11 and 10A-11A, respectively, except that thebonding material 54 b is applied to both the surface 16 b of thesubstrate 12 b and the first surface 44 b of the holographic image 14 b.In this manner, a cohesive may be used for the bonding material 54 b,allowing for greater control in bondingly connecting the holographicimage 14 b to the substrate 12 b to form the holographic material 10 b.

The batch process 68 b″ may be provided with two bonding materialapplicators 86 b″, as shown in FIG. 10B, whereby the bonding material 54b is applied to the substrate 12 b and the holographic image 14 bsimultaneously. Alternatively, the batch process 68 b″ may include onlyone bonding material applicator 86 b″ which applies bonding material 54b consecutively to the substrate 12 b and the holographic image 14 b.

Referring now to FIG. 12, the sheet of holographic material 10 b is thenremoved from the smooth surface 74 b of the flat plate 72 b. Methods ofremoving the sheet of holographic material 10 b from the flat plate 72 bare known in the art. The sheet of holographic material 10 b produced bythe batch process which utilizes the apparatus 68 b may be present indifferent forms such as a roll or sheets of sheet of holographicmaterial 10 b.

Shown in FIG. 12 is a sheet of holographic material 10 c which issimilar to the sheet of holographic material 10 b illustrated in FIG. 7and described in detail before, except that the holographic image 14 cof the sheet of holographic material 10 c is produced by engravingrather than embossing. The sheet of holographic material 10 c comprisesa substrate 12 c and a holographic image 14 c formed thereon. The sheetof holographic material 10 c is produced by a batch process utilizing anapparatus 68c shown in FIGS. 13-16 which is similar to the batch processutilizing the apparatus 68 b illustrated in FIGS. 8-11 and described indetail hereinbefore, except that the coated surface 78 c of the flatplate 72 c is engraved by an engraving element 83 c, such as a laser 85c, to produce the holographic image 14 c of the sheet of holographicmaterial 10 c substantially as shown in FIG. 14, rather than embossed bythe embossing element 82 b as illustrated in FIG. 9.

The sheet of holographic material 10 c is produced using a printingelement 70 c which is similar to the printing element 70 b shown in FIG.8 and described in detail hereinabove. The printing element 70 c of theapparatus 68 c utilized in producing the sheet of holographic material10 c in a batch process illustrated in FIG. 13 is a flat plate 72 chaving a smooth surface 74 c. A coating 30 c, which is substantiallysimilar to the coating 30 as described hereinbefore, is applied to thesmooth surface 74 c of the flat plate 72 c by a coating assembly 76 c,thereby providing a coated surface 78 c of the flat plate 72 c. Thecoating assembly 76 c is illustrated as a coating brush 80 c. However,it should be understood that other methods of applying the coating 30 cto the smooth surface 74 c of the flat plate 72 c may be employed, suchas spraying, dipping, and the like.

The coated surface 78 c of the flat plate 72 c is then engraved by anengraving element 83 c, such as a laser 85 c shown in FIG. 14. Engravingof the coated surface 78 c of the flat plate 72 c provides a holographicimage 14 c on the coated surface 78 c of the flat plate 72 c. Theholographic image 14 c is provided with a first surface 44 c and asecond surface 46 c which is substantially adjacent the smooth surface74 c of the flat plate 72 c.

If the coating 30 c used to provide the coated surface 78 c of the flatplate 72 c is formed of a non-metallic material which does not possessreflective properties necessary to provide the holographic image 14 c, ametallic constituent or component (not shown) is applied to the engravedcoated surface 78 c of the flat plate 72 c to provide the holographicimage 14 c. This process is substantially similar to the metallizing ofthe embossed coated surface 34 of the cylindrical drum 20 by ametallizing constituent or component 50 to provide the holographic image10 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5 and described in detail above.

Once the holographic image 14 c has been produced, a bonding material 54c, which is substantially similar to the bonding material 54 asdescribed hereinbefore, is applied to the holographic image 14 c by abonding material applicator 86 c, as shown in FIG. 15. It will beunderstood that other methods of applying the bonding material 54 c tothe holographic image 14 c on the flat plate 72 c may be employed, suchas spraying, brushing, etc. The bonding material 54 c applied to theholographic image 14 c is contacted with the substrate 12 c asillustrated in FIG. 16, thereby bondingly connecting the holographicimage 14 c to the substrate 12 c and producing the sheet of holographicmaterial 10 c.

While the bonding material 54 c is depicted as being applied to theholographic image 14 c, it will be understood that the bonding material54 c may be applied to the substrate 12 c or to both the substrate 12 cand the holographic image 14 c. Application of the bonding material 54 cto the substrate 12 c or to both the holographic image 14 c and thesubstrate 12 c will be in a substantially similar manner to thatdescribed herein previously for application of the bonding material 54 bto the substrate 12 b in the batch process 68 b′ described hereinbeforewith reference to FIGS. 10A and 11A, or for application of the bondingmaterial 54 b to the substrate 12 b and the holographic image 14 b inthe batch process 68 b″, as described hereinbefore with reference toFIGS. 10B and 11B.

To bondingly connect the holographic image 14 c to the substrate 12 cand to transfer the holographic image 14 c from the smooth surface 74 cof the flat plate 72 c to the substrate 12 c, various methods may beemployed. For example, heat and/or pressure may be applied to effect theseal between the substrate 12 c and the holographic image 14 c. As shownin FIG. 16, the holographic image 14 c and the substrate 12 c may besandwiched between the flat plate 72 c and a sealing plate 88 c toeffect a seal between the substrate 12 c and the holographic image 14 c.In addition, the sealing plate 88 c may be heated to aid in effectingthe seal between the holographic image 14 c and the substrate 12 c.

It will be understood that other methods of bondingly connecting andsealing the holographic image 14 c and the substrate 12 c in the batchprocess which utilizes the apparatus 68 c for producing the sheet ofholographic material 10 c as described herein may be employed.

The sheet of holographic material 10 c is then removed from the smoothsurface 74 c of the flat plate 72 c. Methods of removing the sheet ofholographic material 10 c from the flat plate 72 c are known in the art.The sheet of holographic material 10 c produced by the batch processwhich utilizes the apparatus 68 c may be present in different forms suchas a roll or sheets of sheet of holographic material 10 c.

The Embodiments of FIGS. 17-18

Shown in FIGS. 17-18 is a modified holographic material 10 d provided asa roll 90 of holographic material 10 d. As described in detail hereinpreviously, any of the holographic materials 10 or 10 a produced by acontinuous process which utilizes the apparatus 17 or 17 a or theholographic materials 10 b or 10 c produced by a batch process whichutilizes the apparatus 68 b or 68 c may be provided as a roll ofholographic material. The holographic material 10 d may be withdrawnfrom the roll 90 and severed or disconnected to provide a sheet ofholographic material similar to the sheets of holographic material 10,10 a, 10 b and 10 c hereinbefore described with reference to FIGS. 1, 4,7 and 12, respectively, or to provide decorative elements such asdecorative grass or glitter, as described in detail hereinafter.

The roll 90 of holographic material 10 d may be supported on a journallymounted shaft 92, substantially as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. Theholographic material 10 d is withdrawn from the roll 90 via a leadingedge 94 until a predetermined length of the holographic material 10 dhas been withdrawn from the roll 90 of holographic material 10 d. Inthis position, a portion of the holographic material 10 d is disposedunder a knife assembly 96 having a plurality of knife edges 97. Theknife assembly 96 is connected to an actuator 98 adapted to move theknife assembly 96 in a first direction 100 and in a second direction102. When the predetermined length of holographic material 10 d has beenwithdrawn from the roll 90 of holographic material 10 d, the actuator 98moves the knife assembly 96 in the first direction 100 to a positionwherein the knife assembly 96 severingly engages the holographicmaterial 10 d to shreddingly cut a plurality of elongated strips 101 ofthe holographic material 10 d from the roll 90 of holographic material10 d.

In another optional mode, the actuator 98 may then turn the knifeassembly 96 to the second direction 102 wherein the knife assembly 96severingly re-engages the plurality of elongated strips 101 ofholographic material 10 d, thereby causing the elongated strips 101 ofthe holographic material 10 d to be severed into segments of decorativegrass 103 (FIG. 17) or into small pieces 104 (FIG. 18), for use asglitter, confetti, tinsel, decorative flakes, decals, labels, stickers,sequins, icicles for Christmas trees, imitation snow and the like (itwill be appreciated that this process is represented schematically inthe drawings). The actuator 98 may comprise a hydraulic or pneumaticcylinder or a motor and gear arrangement or any other form ofarrangement suitable for moving the knife assembly 96 in the directions100 and 102. After the knife assembly 96 has cuttingly severed thedesired portion of holographic material 10 d from the roll 90 of theholographic material 10 d, the actuator 98 moves the knife assembly 96in a direction 106 to a storage position disposed a distance above theholographic material 10 d. Alternatively, the leading edge 94 of theholographic material 10 d may be run across a first knife assembly 96set in the surface (not shown) to form the elongated strips 101 ofholographic material 10 d, wherein the actuator 98 actuates a secondknife edge (not shown) to cross-cut the elongated strips 101 ofholographic material 10 d into segments of decorative grass 103 or smallpieces 104 for use as glitter, confetti, tinsel and the like. Apparatusand methods for making decorative shredded materials and the like aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,646,388, entitled “APPARATUS FOR PRODUCINGWEIGHED CHARGES OF LOOSELY AGGREGATED FILAMENTARY MATERIAL”, issued toWeder et al on Mar. 3, 1987, which is hereby expressly incorporated byreference herein. However, it will be understood that while the primaryuses of the segments of grass 103 and the small pieces 104 ofholographic material 10 d are for decorative purposes, the segments ofgrass 103 and small pieces 104 of holographic material 10 d may also beused for purposes other than decorative purposes, such as but not by wayof limitation, uses for scattering light for camouflage or scatteringradar beams, as well as for producing sunscreens, pigments, paints, inksand adhesives.

It will be appreciated that the holographic material 10 d may be alaminate formed by laminating a sheet of material such as a transparentpolymeric film to either surface of a holographic material, such as oneof the holographic materials 10-10 c produced as described in detailherein before. The transparent polymeric film of the holographicmaterial 10 d increases the thickness of the holographic material 10 dwhile still maintaining visual display of the holographic image 14 d,and thus the grass 103 or small pieces 104 of the holographic material10 d produced upon cutting the holographic material 10 d will have alarger volume at substantially less cost than the grass 103 or smallpieces 104 produced from the holographic material 10 d which is not alaminate containing the transparent polymeric film. In addition, barrierproperties, heat resistant properties and other desirable properties canbe provided to the holographic material 10 d by lamination of differenttypes of sheets of material to the holographic material to provide theholographic material 10 d.

Embodiments of FIGS. 19-21

As noted previously, the sheet of holographic material 10 may be used towrap a floral grouping 110. “Floral grouping” as used herein will beunderstood to include cut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a singleflower, other fresh and/or artificial plants or other floral materialsand may include other secondary plants and/or ornamentation orartificial or natural materials which add to the aesthetics of theoverall floral arrangement. The floral grouping 110 comprises a bloom orfoliage portion 112 and a stem portion 114. The term “floral grouping”may be used interchangeably herein with the term “floral arrangement”.

In a method of use, a modified sheet of holographic material 10 e isprovided, which is similar to the sheet of holographic material 10 shownin FIG. 1 and described in detail previously, except as described below.The sheet of holographic material 10 e has an upper surface 116, a lowersurface 118, a first side 120, a second side 122, and third side 124 anda fourth side 126. A strip of bonding material 128 is disposed on theupper surface 116 and near the first side 120 of the sheet ofholographic material 10 e, the strip of bonding material 128 extendingbetween the third and fourth sides 124 and 126, respectively, of thesheet of holographic material 10 e.

The floral grouping 110 having the bloom portion 112 and the stemportion 114 (FIG. 19) is disposed on the upper surface 116 of the sheetof holographic material 10 e. The sheet of holographic material 10 e isthen wrapped about the floral grouping 110 by taking the second side 122of the sheet of holographic material 10 e and rolling the sheet ofholographic material 10 e in a direction 130 about the floral grouping110 (FIG. 20). The sheet of holographic material 10 e is continued to berolled about the floral grouping 110 until a portion of the bondingmaterial 128 is disposed adjacent a portion of the lower surface 118 ofthe sheet of holographic material 10 e and brought into bonding contactor engagement therewith (FIG. 21), thereby bondingly connecting thebonding material 128 on the upper surface 116 of the sheet ofholographic material 10 e to a portion of the lower surface 118 of thesheet of holographic material 10 e for cooperating to secure the sheetof holographic material 10 e in a wrapped condition about the floralgrouping 110 to provide a wrapper 132 wrapped about the floral grouping110, as shown in FIG. 21.

In the wrapped condition with the sheet of holographic material 10 ewrapped about the floral grouping 110 as shown in FIG. 21, the wrapper132 forms a conical shape with an open upper end 134 and an open lowerend 136. The wrapper 132 covers a portion of the bloom portion 112 ofthe floral grouping 110. A portion of the stem portion 114 of the floralgrouping 110 extends through the open lower end 136 of the wrapper 132.The wrapper 132 is tightly wrapped about the stem portion 114 of thefloral grouping 110. The bonding material 128 on the sheet ofholographic material 10 e may contact and engage some of the stemportion 114 of the floral grouping 110 to cooperate in securing thewrapper 132 so that the wrapper 132 is tightly wrapped about the stemportion 114 of the floral grouping 110 and to prevent the floralgrouping 110 from slipping or moving within the wrapper 132.

At least a portion of the floral grouping 110 is disposed within thewrapper 132. In some applications, the stem portion 114 of the floralgrouping 110 extends through the open lower end 136 of the wrapper 132,as described before. In other applications, the stem portion 114 of thefloral grouping 110 does not extend through the open lower end 136 ofthe wrapper 132. In some applications, the wrapper 132 is tightlywrapped about the stem portion 114 of the floral grouping 110. The bloomportion 112 of the floral grouping 110 is disposed adjacent or above theopen upper end 134 of the wrapper 132 and the bloom portion 112 of thefloral grouping 110 is visible via the open upper end 134 of the wrapper132. In some instances, the bloom portion 112 of the floral grouping 110may extend beyond the open upper end 134 of the wrapper 132. In someapplications, the upper end 134 of the wrapper 132 may be closed isdesired. In some applications, the lower end 136 of the wrapper 132 maybe closed if desired.

The wrapper 132, as shown in FIG. 21, is generally conically shaped. Thesheet of sheet of holographic material 10 e may also be wrapped aboutthe floral grouping 110 to form a cylindrically shaped wrapper 132 ahaving an open upper end 134 a and an open lower end 136 a substantiallyas shown in FIG. 22, or any other shape wrapper if desired in aparticular application.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,364, entitled “WRAPPING A FLORAL GROUPING WITHSHEETS HAVING AN ADHESIVE OR COHESIVE MATERIAL APPLIED THERETO”, issuedto Weder et al on Jan. 26, 1993, which has been incorporated byreference herein above, discloses methods of wrapping a floral groupingin a cylindrically-shaped wrapper.

Embodiments of FIGS. 23-28

As noted above, a sheet of holographic material 10 f may be used toprovide a decorative cover 140 for an object such as a flower pot 142 ora potted plant 144. The term “flower pot” refers to any type ofcontainer used for holding a floral grouping or a plant. Examples offlower pots used in accordance with the present invention are clay pots,plastic pots, wooden pots, pots made from natural and/or syntheticfibers, and the like.

The flower pot 142 has an open upper end 146, a closed lower end 148,and an outer peripheral surface 150. An opening 152 intersects the openupper end 146 forming an inner peripheral surface 154 and a retainingspace 156. A plant 158 and growing medium 160 (shown in FIG. 28) may bedisposed in the flower pot 142, thereby forming the potted plant 144.

To form the sheet of holographic material 10 f into the decorative cover140 about the outer peripheral surface 150 of the flower pot 142, boththe flower pot 142 and the sheet of holographic material 10 f areprovided. The sheet of holographic material 10 f is desirably formed ofa flexible yet shape-sustaining material. The flower pot 142 is disposedupon the upper surface 116 f of the sheet of holographic material 10 fso that the closed lower end 148 of the flower pot 142 is disposedsubstantially adjacent a portion of the upper surface 116 f of the sheetof holographic material 10 f. To cover the object, the sheet ofholographic material 10 f may be manually or automatically formed aboutthe outer peripheral surface 150 of the flower pot 142 or potted plant144.

In one embodiment of a manual application of wrapping the sheet ofholographic material 10 f about the flower pot 142 to provide thedecorative cover 140 for the flower pot 142, the sheet of holographicmaterial 10 f is wrapped about the outer peripheral surface 150 of theflower pot 142 so that the upper surface 116 f of the sheet ofholographic material 10 f is disposed substantially adjacent the outerperipheral surface 150 of the flower pot 142 (FIGS. 24 and 25) to formthe decorative cover 140 about the flower pot 142 wherein theholographic image 14 f of the sheet of holographic material 10 f isvisible and thereby provides the desired holographic effect to thedecorative cover 140 (FIG. 25). That is, the lower surface 118 f of thesheet of holographic material 10 f becomes an outer surface 164 of thedecorative cover 140 and at least a portion of the holographic design 14f constitutes at least a portion of the decor of the decorative cover140. Methods of manually wrapping a material about a flower pot areknown to those having ordinary skill in the art.

The decorative cover 140 comprises a base portion 172 and a skirtportion 174. The base portion 172 of the decorative cover 140 isdimensioned to encompass at least a portion of the outer peripheralsurface 150 of the flower pot 142 such that the open upper end 146 ofthe flower pot 142 remains substantially uncovered by the decorativecover 140, and the skirt portion 174 of the decorative cover 140 extendsoutwardly from the base portion 172 of the decorative cover 140.

Another method for forming the decorative cover 140 about a flower pot142 using the sheet of sheet of holographic material 10 f is disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 4,733,521, entitled “COVER FORMING APPARATUS”, issuedto Weder et al on Mar. 29, 1988, which is hereby expressly incorporatedherein by reference.

The decorative cover 140 formed by wrapping the sheet of holographicmaterial 10 f about the flower pot 142 may be secured to the outerperipheral surface 150 of the flower pot 142 by the use of one or morebonding materials described herein. A bonding material 161, such as apressure sensitive adhesive, may be disposed on the upper surface 116 fof the sheet of holographic material 10 f to secure the decorative cover140 about the outer peripheral surface 150 of the flower pot 142. Insuch instance, a portion of the overlapping folds 163 formed in thedecorative cover 140 may be connected via the bonding material 161 and aportion of the overlapping folds 163 may remain unconnected.

Alternatively, the sheet of holographic material 10 f may be constructedof a shape-sustaining material such that no bonding material is requiredto form the decorative cover 140. Upon wrapping the shape-sustainingsheet of holographic material 10 f about the outer peripheral surface150 of the flower pot 142 to form the decorative cover 140, theplurality of overlapping folds 163 formed therein are dead folds. Theterm “dead folds” as used herein is understood to mean the formation ofpleats wherein the pleats are unsecured (i.e., not bondingly connected)but maintain their pleated configuration, such as when one folds metalfoil.

Another method of securing the decorative cover 140 to the flower pot142 is by applying a band (not shown) about the decorative cover 140 andthe flower pot 142 to hold the decorative cover 140 in place about theflower pot 142 such as is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,599, entitled“MEANS FOR SECURING A DECORATIVE COVER ABOUT A FLOWER POT”, issued toWeder on Apr. 21, 1992 and which is hereby expressly incorporated hereinby reference.

The term “band” when used herein refers to any material which may besecured about an object such as a flower pot, such bands commonly beingreferred to as elastic bands, rubber bands or non-elastic bands and alsoincludes any other type of material such as an elastic or non-elasticstring, elastic or non-elastic piece of material, a round piece ofmaterial, a flat piece of material, a ribbon, a piece of paper strip, apiece of plastic strip, a piece of wire, a tie wrap or a twist tie orcombinations thereof or any other device capable of gathering theholographic material to removably or substantially permanently form acrimped portion and secure the crimped portion formed in the holographicmaterial which may be secured about an object such as the flower pot.The band may also include a bow if desired in a particular application.

Once the decorative cover 140 is constructed by wrapping the sheet ofholographic material 10 f about a flower pot 142 and the decorativecover 140 is secured to the flower pot 142, growing medium 160 and aplant 158 may be disposed in the flower pot 142 to which the decorativecover 140 is secured, thereby resulting in a decoratively cover pottedplant 170 as shown in FIG. 28.

Alternatively, the sheet of holographic material 10 f may be formed intoa preformed decorative cover 162 (FIG. 26) which is then placed aboutthe outer peripheral surface 150 of the flower pot 142 or potted plant144. The preformed decorative cover 162 has an opening 166 and comprisesa base portion 176 and a skirt portion 178. The base portion 176 of thepreformed decorative cover 162 is dimensioned to encompass at least aportion of the outer peripheral surface 150 of the flower pot 142 whenthe flower pot 142 is disposed in the preformed decorative cover 162.The skirt portion 178 of the preformed decorative cover 162 extendsoutwardly from the base portion 176 of the preformed decorative cover140. The preformed decorative cover 162 is self-supporting by virtue ofoverlapping folds 168 wherein at least a portion of the overlappingfolds 168 are bonded together, thereby providing structural integrity tothe preformed decorative cover 162. The holographic design 14 f of thesheet of holographic material 10 f provides at least a portion of thedecor of the preformed decorative cover 162.

The preformed decorative cover 162 may be formed using a conventionalmold system 165 comprising a male mold 167 and a female mold 169 havinga mold cavity 171 for matingly receiving the male mold 167 (FIG. 27).The sheet of holographic material 10 f is positioned between the maleand female molds 165 and 167, respectively. Movement of the male mold167 in the direction 173 and into the mold cavity 171 of the female mold169 forces the sheet of holographic material 10 f to be disposed aboutthe portion of the male mold 167 disposed in the mold cavity 171 of thefemale mold 169 and thereby forms the sheet of holographic material 10 finto the preformed decorative cover 162 (FIGS. 26 and 27). The preformeddecorative cover 162, which may be constructed from the materialsdescribed herein above, may have a bonding material disposed upon aportion thereof.

Methods for forming such preformed decorative pot covers are well knownin the art. One method for forming such a preformed plant cover or potcover is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,182 entitled “ARTICLE FORMINGSYSTEM”, issued to Weder et al on Sep. 27, 1988, which is herebyexpressly incorporated herein by reference. Another method for formingsuch covers is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,291,721 entitled “COVERFORMING APPARATUS HAVING PIVOTING FORMING MEMBERS”, issued to Weder etal on Mar. 8, 1994, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.

A potted plant 144 can be disposed in the opening 166 of the preformeddecorative cover 162 such that the open upper end 146 of the flower pot142 remains substantially uncovered by the preformed decorative cover162, thereby also resulting in a decoratively covered potted plant 170as shown in FIG. 28.

The term “potted plant” as used herein refers to a plant having a bloomor foliage portion, a stem portion and a root portion, the root portionbeing disposed in a growing medium. The term “potted plant” as usedherein also includes botanical items and propagules.

The term “botanical item” when used herein refers to a natural orartificial herbaceous or woody plant, taken singly or in combination.The term “botanical item” also refers to any portion or portions ofnatural or artificial herbaceous or woody plants including stems,leaves, flowers, blossoms, buds, blooms, cones or roots, taken singly orin combination, or in groupings of such portions such as a bouquet or afloral grouping.

The term “propagule” when used herein refers to any structure capable ofbeing propagated or acting as an agent of reproduction including seeds,shoots, stems, runners, tubers, plants, leaves, roots or spores.

The term “growing medium” when used herein refers to any liquid, solidor gaseous material used for plant growth or for the cultivation ofpropagules, including organic and inorganic materials such as soil,humus, perlite, vermiculite, sand, water, and including the nutrients,fertilizers or hormones or combinations thereof required by the plantsor propagules for growth.

Embodiments of FIGS. 29-35

Shown in FIGS. 29-32 and designated therein by the general referencenumeral 180 is a wrapper for a floral grouping 110 constructed from aholographic material 10 g which is substantially similar to theholographic material 10 shown in FIG. 1 and described in detail hereinpreviously. The wrapper 180 comprises a sleeve 182, which is generallytubular in shape, and the floral grouping 110. The sleeve 182, asillustrated in FIG. 29, has a first end 184, a second end 186, an outerperipheral surface 188 and an opening 190 intersecting both the firstend 184 and the second end 186, forming an inner peripheral surface 192and providing a retaining space 194 therein. The holographic design 14 gof the holographic material 10 g is visible on the outer peripheralsurface 188 of the sleeve 182. It should be noted that the second end186 of the sleeve 182 may be closed, forming a closed second end, inwhich case the opening 190 only intersects the first end 184 of thesleeve 182. Sleeves and their construction are well known in the art,and sleeves are commercially available, as are various devices andmechanisms capable of forming sleeves.

The sleeve 182 is adapted to receive a floral grouping 110 within theretaining space 194 thereof. The floral grouping 110 (FIG. 30) may bedisposed in the opening 190 in the sleeve 182 and containedsubstantially in the retaining space 194 of the sleeve 182, therebyforming the wrapper 180, as will be described in detail below.

A bonding material 196 may be disposed on at least a portion of theinner peripheral surface 192 of the sleeve 182 (FIG. 31), oralternatively, the bonding material 196 may be disposed on the outerperipheral surface 188 of the sleeve 182 as illustrated in FIG. 32, orin a further alternative, the bonding material 196 may be disposed onboth the inner peripheral surface 192 and the outer peripheral surface188 of the sleeve 182 (not shown).

The bonding material 196 may further comprise a color, or a combinationof colors, as previously described herein. Further, the bonding material196 may comprise at least a portion of a design on the sleeve 182. Theterm “design” as used herein is defined as any geometric form, or anycombination of geometric forms, for example, squares, round spots,triangles, rectangles, octagonals, or the like (not shown). The term“design” is further defined as any non-geometric, asymmetrical orfanciful forms, or any combination thereof, for example, but not by wayof limitation, hearts, balloons, flowers, lace, slogans, logos, print(any combination of letters, numbers and/or symbols), signs, human forms(real and fictional), animal forms (real and fictional), cartooncharacters, and/or plant forms.

Such a design may comprise a color or a portion of a color or anycombination of colors. Alternatively, at least a portion of the designmay be colorless, translucent, transparent, opaque, pearlescent,iridescent, or the like.

However, it will be understood that the sleeve 182 may not be providedwith a bonding material disposed thereon, and other methods and devices,such as a band, may be employed to secure the sleeve 182 about thefloral grouping 110 to form the wrapper 180. Such bands and methods ofuse thereof have been described in detail hereinbefore.

The sleeve 182 is generally tubularly shaped, but the sleeve 182 may be,by way of example only, cylindrical, conical, frusto-conical, or acombination of both frusto-conical and cylindrical (not shown). Further,as long as the sleeve 182 is capable of receiving a floral grouping 110,any shape of sleeve 182, whether geometric, non-geometric, asymmetricaland/or fanciful, may be utilized.

In a general method of use, illustrated in FIGS. 30-32, at least aportion of the floral grouping 110 is disposed within the sleeve 182. Insome applications, the stem portion 114 of the floral grouping 110extends into the sleeve 182 via the open first end 184 of the sleeve182, extending through and beyond the open second end 186 of the sleeve182. The bloom portion 112 of the floral grouping 110 is thereforedisposed adjacent the open first end 184 of the sleeve 182 and the bloomportion 112 of the floral grouping 110 is visible via the open first end184 of the sleeve 182 (FIGS. 30-32). In some instances, the bloomportion 114 of the floral grouping 110 may extend above the open firstend 184 of the sleeve 182. In some applications, the first end 184 ofthe sleeve 182 may be closed if desired (not shown). In somecircumstances, the second end 186 of the sleeve 182 may be closed ifdesired (not shown).

In one method of use (FIGS. 30-32), an operator provides the sleeve 182(FIG. 29), and the floral grouping 110 (FIG. 30). The operator thendisposes the floral grouping 110 into the sleeve 182 by opening thesleeve 182 at the first end 184 and disposing the floral grouping 110into the opening 190 in the sleeve 182 and the retaining space 194 ofthe sleeve 182 by inserting first the stem portion 114 of the floralgrouping 110 into the retaining space 194 of the sleeve 182 via theopening 190 intersecting the first end 184 of the sleeve 182, in amanner which permits a portion of the stem portion 114 of the floralgrouping 110 to be disposed in the retaining space 194 adjacent thesecond end 186 of the sleeve 182, the second end 186 generally havingthe narrowest diameter. By inserting the floral grouping 110 into thesleeve 182 in this manner, the bloom portion 112 of the floral grouping110 is also disposed in the retaining space 194 of the sleeve 182 andthe bloom portion 112 of the floral grouping 110 is disposedsubstantially adjacent the first end 184 of the sleeve 182, the firstend 184 generally having the widest diameter. In this method, at least aportion of the stem portion 114 of the floral grouping 110 extendsslightly beyond the second end 186 of the sleeve 182, and the bloomportion 112 of the floral grouping 110 is clearly visible at the openfirst end 184 of the sleeve 182.

The sleeve 182 may then be crimped about the floral grouping 110 asshown in FIGS. 31-32. The crimping operation is conducted by an operatorafter the floral grouping 110 is disposed in the sleeve 182 by crimpingat least a portion of the sleeve 182 in the area of the stem portion 114of the floral grouping 110, wherein the bonding material 196 retains thesleeve 182 in the crimped condition. Such crimping may be conducted byhand, by grasping and substantially encompassing with one or more handsthe second end 186 of the sleeve 182 in the area of the bonding material196 and evenly and firmly squeezing that portion of the sleeve 182 aboutthe area having the bonding material 196, thereby pressing and gatheringboth the sleeve 182 and the bonding material 196 against itself andabout the stem portion 114 of the floral grouping 110. The sleeve 182may also be crimped by using both a crimping motion (as described above)and a turning motion to create a twisted crimping, resulting in a sleeve182 which is both crimped as previously described, and which is twistedabout at least a portion of the stem portion 114 of the floral grouping110, the sleeve 182 adjacent the stem portion 114 of the floral grouping110 being rotated about the stem portion 114 of the floral grouping 110,for example but not by way of limitation, between about one-eighth of aturn to about a full turn (not shown).

When the sleeve 182 is crimped, a plurality of overlapping folds 198 areformed in the crimped area. The plurality of overlapping folds 198 (onlyone overlapping fold designated by the reference numeral 198 in FIGS. 31and 32) resulting from the gathered, crimped material of the sleeve 182may be connected, that is, all of the overlapping portions of the sleeve182 are bondingly connected together via the bonding material 196. Aplurality of overlapping folds 198 may be formed by hand, duringcrimping, or by mechanical methods and devices. Such mechanical methodsand devices are disclosed generally in “ARTICLE FORMING SYSTEM”, whichhas previously been incorporated by reference herein. Alternatively, thecrimping may be conducted in a manner in which not all of the pluralityof overlapping folds 198 are bondingly connected together. It will beappreciated that the plurality of overlapping folds 198 (connected orunconnected) are formed primarily in the crimped area. Such crimping asdescribed above may also be conducted by any device or mechanism knownin the art and used for gathering or crimping materials.

Alternatively, the sleeve 182 may remain uncrimped. The bonding material196 disposed upon the sleeve 182 may cause the sleeve 182 to bondinglyconnect to portions of itself, causing the sleeve 182 to conform, eithergenerally or closely (depending, as will be appreciated, upon the amountof bonding material 196 and the amount of holographic material 10 g ofthe sleeve 182 which overlaps and connects to itself) to the floralgrouping 110.

When the floral grouping 110 is disposed in the sleeve 182 by any methoddescribed herein, or known in the art, the sleeve 182 substantiallysurrounds and encompasses a substantial portion of the floral grouping110. When the sleeve 182 is disposed about the floral grouping 110, thesleeve 182 forms a wrapper 180 which provides a decorative packaging forthe floral grouping 110 contained therein.

It will be appreciated that the sleeve 182 has sufficient flexibilitybut also sufficient rigidity to both remain in and sustain its generalshape, thereby substantially surrounding and encompassing the floralgrouping 110.

Illustrated in FIGS. 33-35 is a decorative cover 140 a for a flower pot142 which is constructed from a sheet of holographic material 10 g. Thedecorative cover 140 a is substantially similar in construction to thedecorative cover 140 previously described herein with the exceptionshereinafter described. The decorative cover 140 a comprises a sleeve 182a, which is substantially similar to the sleeve 182 illustrated in FIG.29, and may extend over the outer peripheral surface 150 of the flowerpot 142. The sleeve 182 a includes an upper portion 200 and a lowerportion 202. The lower portion 202 of the sleeve 182 a is sized toclosely surround and encompass a flower pot 142 disposed within thesleeve 182 a, while the upper portion 200 of the sleeve 182 a extendsupwardly from the flower pot 142 disposed in the sleeve 182 a. The upperportion 200 of the sleeve 182 a is detachable from the lower portion 202of the sleeve 182 a via vertical perforations 204 and/or circumferentialperforations 206 which extend about the sleeve 182 a adjacent to orabove the open upper end 146 of the flower pot 142, as illustrated inFIGS. 33-35, thereby forming a decorative flower pot cover 208 having aholographic image 14 g thereon. The holographic design 14 g of theholographic material 10 g is visible on at least a portion of the lowerportion 202 of the sleeve 182 a, and the holographic design 14 g of theholographic material 10 g may be visible on at least a portion of boththe upper and lower portions 200 and 202, respectively, of the sleeve182 a.

In one method of use, the flower pot 142 having growing medium 160 and afloral grouping 110 or a plant 158 disposed therein is disposed in thesleeve 182 a such that the lower portion 202 of the sleeve 182 a ispositioned substantially adjacent the outer peripheral surface 150 ofthe flower pot 142 and the upper portion 200 of the sleeve 182 a extendsupwardly from the flower pot 142. In this manner, the upper portion 200of the sleeve 182 a substantially surrounds and encompasses at least aportion of the floral grouping 110 or plant 158 disposed in the flowerpot 142.

The sleeve 182 a may have a bonding material (not shown) disposedthereupon such that the second end 186 a of the sleeve 182 a can beconnected to the flower pot 142. Alternatively, a bonding material maybe disposed upon the outer peripheral surface 150 of the flower pot 142.In a further alternative, the bonding material may be disposed on boththe flower pot 142 and the sleeve 182 a (not shown).

Alternatively, the sleeve 182 a may extend over a flower pot 142 alreadycovered by a decorative cover such as the decorative covers 140 or 162(FIGS. 25 and 26), the sleeve 182 a often being torn away from thedecorative cover 140 or 162 after shipment and delivery (not shown).

It will be appreciated that the method of disposing the flower pot 142into the sleeve 182 a is generally substantially similar to the methoddescribed above for disposing the floral grouping 110 into the sleeve182.

Embodiment of FIG. 36

Shown in FIG. 36 and designated therein by the general reference numeral210 is a wrapper for a floral grouping 212 comprising a sleeve 182 b anda floral grouping 212, the sleeve 182 b being constructed from theholographic material 10 g and being substantially similar to the sleeve182 as shown in FIGS. 29-32 and described in detail herein previously.The wrapper 210 is similar to the wrapper 180 above, except that thewrapper 210 is a narrow tubular shape which is constructed toaccommodate a floral grouping 212 comprising generally only a singlebloom 214 and stem 216. The holographic design 14 g of the holographicmaterial 10 g is visible on at least a portion of the sleeve 182 b,thereby providing the wrapper 210 with a holographic effect.

The method of use of the wrapper 210 is similar to the method of use ofthe wrapper 180 shown in FIGS. 29-32 and described in detail hereinabove.

For the sake of brevity, only the use of holographic materials similarto the holographic material 10 for providing decorative covers andwrappers for floral groupings such as cut flowers and potted plants havebeen described herein. However, it will be understood that holographicmaterials similar to the holographic materials 10 a-10 d may be used inthe same manner. In addition, while several uses of the holographicmaterials 10-10 d have been disclosed herein, other products which canbe produced from the holographic materials of the present inventioninclude sunglasses, sun visors, controlled spectrum lighting, decorativefunctional boxes and bags, ornaments, window decorations, clothing,signs, highway markings, anti-counterfeiting and copying devices, toysand toy enhancements, heat shielding, radiation shielding,spectrum-modifying glazing and other spectrum-modifying devices,protective coverings for solar cells, insulating material for buildings,refrigerators and freezers, and other insulating needs, greenhouse andterrarium films, UV blocking materials, and photographic and lightfilters.

From the above description, it is clear that the present invention iswell adapted to carry out the objects and to attain the advantagesmentioned herein as well as those inherent in the invention. Whilepresently preferred embodiments of the invention have been described forpurposes of this disclosure, it will be understood that numerous changesmay be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled inthe art and which are accomplished within the spirit of the inventiondisclosed and as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A continuous process for producing a holographic material, comprising the steps of: providing a printing element having a polished, resilient surface; applying a coating capable of receiving a holographic image to the polished, resilient surface of the printing element to provide a coated surface; engraving the coated surface to provide a holographic image thereon, the holographic image having a first surface and a second surface wherein the second surface of the holographic image is disposed substantially adjacent the polished, resilient surface of the printing element; providing a substrate having a smooth surface; applying a bonding material to at least one of the substrate and the first surface of the holographic image; disposing the substrate adjacent the first surface of the holographic image so as to bondingly connect the holographic image to the substrate, thereby producing a holographic material and thus removing the holographic material from the polished, resilient surface of the printing element.
 2. The continuous process of claim 1 wherein, in the step of providing a printing element, the printing element is selected from the group consisting of a cylindrical drum and a roller.
 3. The continuous process of claim 1 wherein, in the step of providing a printing element, the printing element is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of chrome, stainless steel and tool steel.
 4. The continuous process of claim 1 wherein, in the step of applying a coating, the coating applied to the polished, resilient surface of the printing element is selected from the group consisting of metallic polymeric film, non-metallic polymer film, foil, metallized lacquer, non-metallized lacquer, iridescent film, ink containing metallized glitter mixed with a lacquer, and combinations thereof.
 5. The continuous process of claim 1 wherein, in the step of providing a substrate, the substrate is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of polymeric film, foil, paper, tissue, laminates thereof and combinations thereof.
 6. A continuous process for producing a holographic material, comprising the steps of: providing a printing element having a polished, resilient surface; applying a coating capable of receiving a holographic image to the polished, resilient surface of the printing element to provide a coated surface; engraving the coated surface to provide an image on the coating; applying a metallic constituent or component to the image to provide a holographic image having a first surface and a second surface wherein the second surface of the holographic image is disposed substantially adjacent the polished, resilient surface of the printing element; providing a substrate having a smooth surface; applying a bonding material to at least one of the substrate and the first surface of the holographic image; disposing the substrate adjacent the first surface of the holographic image so as to bondingly connect the holographic image to the substrate, thereby producing a holographic material and thus removing the holographic material from the polished, resilient surface of the printing element.
 7. The continuous process of claim 6 wherein, in the step of providing a printing element, the printing element is selected from the group consisting of a cylindrical drum and a roller.
 8. The continuous process of claim 6 wherein, in the step of providing a printing element, the printing element is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of chrome, stainless steel and tool steel.
 9. The continuous process of claim 6 wherein, in the step of applying a coating, the coating is selected from the group consisting of polymeric film, foil, lacquer and combinations thereof.
 10. The continuous process of claim 6 wherein, in the step of providing a substrate, the substrate is selected from the group consisting of polymeric film, foil, paper, tissue, laminates thereof and combinations thereof. 